Yoko Maejima
I moved to Australia from Japan five years ago to study at Melbourne Polytechnic. As I grew older, I stopped caring about all the small things I used to worry about, but instead spent time translating one culture to another and uniting them within my limited vocabulary. This became my hobby and my art practice. I decided to take this approach to fine art and illustration. How can I create art that unites us, connects us, and serves us all? Can I create work that offers hope and unification to people? Hopefully and possibly in a subtle, personal way?
My portfolio this year is my quiet resistance against the current political situation in our time, of isolation and confrontation. Seems like we can use more of those reminders about how similar we are now than ever by exchanging stories and using small conversations, instead of abstract fear and anger. Many conflicts start with the fear of unknown, which can be reduced easily by getting know each other.
Studying illustration this year is my attempt to construct a bridge over the cultural gap and start conversations about so many profound ideas we share even in different periods, languages and cultures. While learning English, I discovered that proverbs are an essence of the culture/language the people use, a condensed reflection of their philosophy. It is easy for everyone to notice any differences between us, because they stand out, but it takes an effort to notice the same ideas because they are so natural for us. It is my scheme to blending in the well-known fables, stories, songs, and proverbs into my functional work, to utilize their advantage of physical contacts by people as a conversation stater in our daily lives.
To contact me or to see more of my work go to:
www.behance.com/yokomaejima
To contact me or to see more of my work go to:
www.behance.com/yokomaejima
Yoko1993@gmail.com
@yokomaejimaart
@yokomaejimaart
THIS IS WHERE THE CAPTION APPEARS
THIS IS WHERE THE CAPTION APPEARS
THIS IS WHERE THE CAPTION APPEARS
THIS IS WHERE THE CAPTION APPEARS
THIS IS WHERE THE CAPTION APPEARS
THIS IS WHERE THE CAPTION APPEARS
THIS IS WHERE THE CAPTION APPEARS
THIS IS WHERE THE CAPTION APPEARS